Smurfit Kappa launches AgroPaper

Paper protects crop

AgroPaper is a renewable and compostable paper that is designed to replace the plastic material used by many farmers and growers for 'mulching' when growing vegetables. Mulching refers to placing a material (mulch) on the ground to improve the soil around plants, to prevent weeds and to preserve the temperature of the soil.

A team of specialists from Smurfit Kappa's Nervion and Sangüesa Paper Mills collaborated with INTIA (a research center for agri-food technology in Spain) to find a way to use long needle fibers from sustainably managed local forests as the basis for the new paper.

The removal of polythene that is most commonly used for mulches can be difficult and costly and leaves behind small fragments that may be consumed by animals. AgroPaper, on the other hand, is an environmentally friendly material that biodegrades safely and harmlessly as compost in the ground.

Tests on AgroPaper have shown that the yield of the crop in many cases has even increased. Laurent Sellier, COO Smurfit Kappa Paper Europe: "Through our Better Planet Packaging initiative we want to generate innovative, sustainable solutions with a positive impact on the environment. AgroPaper is an example of a truly circular product that solves a crucial problem for many farmers and opens a world of possibilities."